Fastener for tailpieces of musical instruments



(No Model.)

. 0. H. LBHMANN. FASTB NER FOR TAILPIEGES OF MUSICAL IN$TRUMENTS.

No. 569,647. Patented Oct 20, 1896 WITNESSES. INVENTOH wear/[Lamaze AT ORA/E75 Ola/ 144 UNITED STATES PATENT FFICE.

OSCAR H. LEIIMANN, OF EVANSVILLE, INDIANA.

FASTENER FOR TAILPIECES OF MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 569,647, dated October 20, 1896.

pp cat o filed September 6, 1895. Serial No. 561,692. (No model.)

T0 [0% whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, OSCAR H. LEHMANN, a citizen of the United States,residing in Evansville, in the county of Vanderburg and State of Indiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Fasteners for Tailpieces of Musical Instruments, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to a simple and effective fastener for tailpieces of musical instruments, which can be easily applied and removed and avoid all necessity of the use of screws, &c., which only tend to weaken the tailpiece; and my invention consists, broadly, of a suitable piece of metal formed at one end with a head for holding the tailpiece and a tongue or equivalent device for engaging a notch or depression in the tailpiece, so that a detachable connection may be made with the tailpiece, and at its other end adapted for attachment to the instrument.

My invention further consists of certain details of construction to be hereinafter described, and pointed out in the claims.

In order that my invention may be fully understood, I will proceed to describe the same with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a perspective view of a violin with my fastener applied thereto. Fig. 2 is a top view of the fastener. Fig. 3 is a bottom view of the fastener applied to the tailpiece,

and Fig. at is a detail sectional view on the line 4: 4, Fig. 3.

In the said drawings, 1 represents a violin; 2, the tailpiece thereof 5 3, the fastener therefor, and at the end pin over which the free end of the fastener fits. The fastener comprises a plate 3, formed by stamping or otherwise, as may be found convenient, of any suitable material, and it may be finished in any manner desired. It is formed with the grippinghead 5, which is provided with the ears 6 and with the tongue or projection '7. The cars 6 project rigidly from one side of plate 3 and are spaced apart the proper distance, so that while the fastener is thus adapted to surround the tailpiece on three sides the narrow portion may be passed in and out between the ears; but when the fastener is moved longitudinally on the tailpiece the enlarged portion of the latter binds between the ears. To

better grip the tailpiece, the ears 6 are inclined inward toward-each other, (see Fig. 2,) so as to form a wedge-opening and oppose any tendency to draw the tailpiece out of the grip. The tongue 7 is cut out of the material, as will be seen, and projects upwardly, and when the tailpiece is in position in the fastener it fits in the notch 8, formed in the tailpiece; or, if preferred, instead of the tongue 7 a punch may be employed to stamp a nose or projection in the head which will engage with the notch in the tailpiece. This and the wings, it will be seen, form a detachable fastening, and no matter which way the strain may be on the tailpiece it cannot be separated from the fastener.

The other end of the fastener is formed with the graduated opening 9. This construction is to permit the fastener being slipped over the end pin without removing it and to have the pin fit in the smaller opening and in this manner prevent the fastener from slipping off the pin.

The manner of applying my fastener is as follows: The tailpiece is forced between the ears (3 and moved so as to bring the tongue 7 into engagement with the notch 8. The fastener is then slipped over the end pin and bent over the edge of the instrument, as shown in Fig. 1. The strings are then tightened and the instrument is ready for use.

The advantages of my fastener will be read ily seen. It can be produced at a Very low cost, is easy to apply and remove, and will last for a great length of time. From its du rability and firmness the instrument will remain in tune longer and a better tone can be had.

Having thus described my invention, the following is what I claim as new therein and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

1. The combination of a tailpiece of a musical instrument having a notch formed therein and a fastener for said tailpiece, said fastener being formed with a head for holding the tailpiece and a tongue for engagement with the notch, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

2. As a new article of manufacture, a fastener for tailpieces for musical instruments stamped from a single piece of metal and formed with a wedge-shaped head, a tongue in said head and a graduated opening subgraduated opening for engagement with the stantially as shown and described. end pin 0f the instrument, substantially as 10 The combination of a tailpiece of a mushown and described.

sical instrumenthaving a notch formed there- 5 1n andafastenertheretor, said fastenerbeing OSCAI H LTHMABA formed with a head and having wings for "ituessesr holding the tailpiece, a tongue formed in said HENRY ESPENSCHEID,

head for engagement with the notch, and a PETER IIAMMERSTEIN. 

